1201 S. State Street
Timme Building 1st Floor
Office: (231) 591-2147
Fax: (231) 591-2978
[email protected]
Medical benefits should be provided from the day of injury. During the first 28 days of treatment, your employer has the right to choose the doctor. After that, you are free to change doctors providing that you notify your employer and insurance company, in writing through use of the Intent to Treat Form.
You do not need authorization from the insurance company or your employer to be medically treated, as long as the treatment is reasonable and necessary, and your claim is not in dispute.
In accordance with the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act, medical bills are subject to retrospective review of reasonable and necessary services, including length of stay. Appropriate medical records must accompany all bills.
There is a seven-day waiting period to be eligible for wage-loss benefits. If your wage loss lasts longer than seven consecutive days (including weekends and holidays), you are entitled to benefits starting on the eighth day. If your wage loss continues for 14 days or longer, you are entitled to payment for that first week of disability. Weekly benefits are calculated using the State's formula. This is roughly 80 percent of your after-tax wages.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Ferris State University regards your workers compensation records as confidential. However, it is important to note that workers compensation records are not protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
- All claims of work related injury or illness must be reported to the employee’s supervisor and an incident report form completed.
- All reported injuries or illnesses are investigated and/or reviewed.
- A Worker’s Compensation claim is established.
- The Worker’s Compensation third party administrator determines if the established claim can be compensated under the State Workers’ Compensation Act.
- Payment of bills and employee reimbursement are made by the third party administrator.
- If your claim is deemed compensable and you are off work, you may be eligible for wage loss benefits. Wage loss benefits are paid at a rate established by State law. You will not receive full wage for the time off work, however, these payments are tax exempt, with no deductions for State, Federal or Social Security taxes.
Complete an Intent to Treat form and turn it in to the SHERM office (Center for Student Services).
- The Birkam Health Center or Med1 will provide details about filling prescriptions.
- Any itemized bills should be directed to Worker’s Compensation. Ferris State University cannot pay for services that are not related to your worker’s compensation claim.
According to State Law, in the first 28 days following injury or illness, the employer
chooses the health care provider. After 28 days, the employee may transfer to a doctor
of their choice by notifying the University in writing. Intent to Treat form.
- Health insurance continues based on your job classification or union contract. You are still responsible for your portion of the premiums.
- Human Resources can help you arrange premium payments or you may use accrued leave to cover your portion. (not to exceed 15 hours per week)
- See FMLA Policy for details.
- No. However, you will be paid for your full shift on the day of injury.
- If you are disabled by the medical provider for less than 14 days, during the first week following injury you may use accrued sick or vacation time up to 40 hours.
- You may also qualify for wage loss benefits under Workers Compensation, depending on the duration of your disability.
- You may choose to not use your accrued leave time.
Big Rapids
Corwell Health Big Rapids for emergency medical treatment.
Birkam Health Center for routine injury and follow-up medical care.
Grand Rapids
Corwell Health System for emergency medical treatment.
Med1 for routine injury and follow-up medical care.
- Notify your Supervisor immediately.
- A medical emergency is an injury or illness that is acute (rapid onset) and poses an immediate risk to your life or long term health. If you need an ambulance or have an urgent condition that only a hospital is equipped to treat, go to the emergency room.
- If the Birkam Health Center or Med1 are closed and you have an urgent condition (such as a burn or laceration) severe enough to require immediate professional medical care, go to the emergency room.
- During normal business hours, the Birkam Health Center and Med1 are equipped to treat burns, lacerations, sprains, strains, illnesses, and provide follow up care.
- In Big Rapids, Birkam Health Center will provide your follow-up care after a visit to the ER.
- In Grand Rapids, Med1 will provide your follow-up care after a visit to the ER.
- An injury that "arises out of and in the course of employment". In other words, the condition must be caused by your job while doing your job.
- The injury or illness must not have been caused by the employee's intentional or willful misconduct.
- Services must be reasonable, related to the injury, and provided by a profession that is licensed.
- Report work related incidents to your supervisor immediately.
- Complete the Employee Incident Report, with your supervisor’s assistance, and submit it to SHERM within 24 hours. Both of your signatures are required.
- Your supervisor will direct you to Birkam Health Center for treatment of all non-life threatening injuries or illness.
- Your Supervisor will direct you to Corwell Health Big Rapids or nearest emergency room for treatment of life-threatening injuries or illness.
- If on site emergency care is required, call 911.
- All follow-up appointments after treatment of life-threatening injury or illness care will be with the Birkam Health Center or Med1 the next business day.
- Provide medical excuse slips to your supervisor after every appointment. It is your responsibility to update your supervisor and SHERM on your progress after every appointment related to this injury or illness.
- Treatment outside of the Birkam Health Center , except in life-threatening injury or illness cases, requires pre-authorization by submitting an Intent to Treat form to SHERM.
- Use a Mileage Reimbursement form to keep track of travel expenses related to your treatment.
- Report work related incidents to your supervisor immediately.
- Complete the Employee Incident Report, with your supervisor’s assistance, and submit it to SHERM within 24 hours. Both of your signatures are required.
- Your supervisor will direct you to MED1 Occupational Health System for treatment of all non-life threatening injuries or illness.
- Your Supervisor will direct you to the emergency room for treatment of life-threatening injuries or illness.
- If on site emergency care is required, call 911.
- All follow-up appointments after treatment of life-threatening injury or illness care will be with the MED1 Occupational Health System the next business day.
- Provide medical excuse slips to your supervisor after every appointment. It is your responsibility to update your supervisor and SHERM on your progress after every appointment related to this injury or illness.
- Treatment outside of the MED1 Occupational Health System, except in life-threatening injury or illness cases, requires pre-authorization by submitting an Intent to Treat form to SHERM.
- Use a Mileage Reimbursement form to keep track of travel expenses related to your treatment.
All providers should send visit notes, records and bills to the following address:
Ferris State University
Attn: Workers' Compensation
120a s. State St., CSS101U
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2020
Fax:(231)591-2978
- Medical Services under worker’s compensation cannot be paid without an itemized bill and the corresponding medical notes.
- Your appointment is to discuss your work-related injury only. All other conditions should be addressed at a separate appointment. Ferris State University cannot pay for services that are not related to your worker’s compensation claim.
- Every time that you see a health care provider, even if you’ve seen them before, remind them that your visit is for worker’s compensation and where to send the bill and medical notes to Worker’s Compensation.
- If you receive a bill from a provider, ask the provider to send an itemized bill and the corresponding medical notes to the address above.
Mike McKay (231) 591-2147
- All employees of Ferris State University.
According to State Law, in the first 28 days following injury or illness, the employer
chooses the health care provider. After 28 days, the employee may transfer to a doctor
of their choice by notifying the University in writing. Intent to Treat form.